Gossip column: Mourinho sacking rumours, Vardy, Valdes, Falcao

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Jose Mourinho to be sacked?

Jose Mourinho is on the brink of leaving Chelsea with his senior players believing it is a case of 'when not if' the manager is sacked. (Daily Mirror)

The club have started to discuss the possibility of sacking the 52-year-old, but are mindful that his departure would cost £30m. (ESPN)

Mourinho's representatives are already investigating a move to Paris St-Germain or a return to Inter Milan if he is dismissed. (Independent)

The Mirror's take on Chelsea rumours

A shareholder of Ligue 1 side Monaco says the Portuguese has been approached to replace Leonardo Jardim as manager. (Sport - in Spanish)

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is the overwhelming favourite to replace Mourinho if he is removed from his position. (The Sun - subscription required)

However, Roman Abramovich could well be frustrated in his pursuit of Guardiola, who is believed to be open to the possibility of extending his current deal with the German champions beyond this season. (Times - subscription required)

Mourinho may not even be in the dugout for his side's Premier League game against Liverpool on Saturday, as he faces the possibility of a stadium ban following his latest Football Association charge.(Daily Express)

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has given his support to Mourinho, saying Blues owner Abramovich would be making a mistake if he sacked him.(Daily Star)

Alternatively, Mourinho's job is safe. Abramovich is planning to review the under-fire manager's position during the international break in November. (Goal.com)

Mourinho has also been accused of tarnishing the image of the Premier League by former referees' chief Keith Hackett, who says taking charge of Chelsea games has become a "poisoned chalice" for officials. (Daily Mirror)

Other gossip

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes "not many clubs" have enough money to buy the Premier League's leading scorer Jamie Vardy, 28, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. (Leicester Mercury)

Zenit St Petersburg manager Andre Villas-Boas wants to end 29-year-old Radamel Falcao's nightmare at Stamford Bridge by taking him on loan at the Russian club. (Daily Telegraph)

Real Madrid have signed 15-year-old Lucas Patanelli, who has been playing in Independiente's youth sides and has been dubbed "the next Lionel Messi".(Marca)

Aston Villa's pursuit of former Lyon manager Remi Garde has hit a stumbling block over the appointment of his assistants, with the French club reluctant to let Gerald Baticle and Robert Duverne leave. (Times - subscription required)

The Guardian sports page

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is prepared to risk a fall-out with Manuel Pellegrini by playing for Belgium even if his club boss believes he is not fit enough to do so.(Guardian)

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney rates club and country team-mate Chris Smalling among the best three centre-backs in the world. (Manchester Evening News)

Victor Valdes' agent has confirmed that the 33-year-old Spanish goalkeeper is keen to stay in the Premier League if Manchester United let him leave during the January transfer window. (Evening Standard)

Tottenham will allow winger Andros Townsend, 24, to leave the club on loan during the transfer window and are looking at signing Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, 26, as a replacement. (The Sun - subscription required)

Spurs midfielder Dele Alli, 19, has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain. (One MK)

Everton are confident of signing Bury's 17-year-old left-footed centre-half Matty Foulds when the transfer window opens on 2 January. (Liverpool Echo)

Swansea have been linked with a move for Brentford midfielder Alan Judge, 26, who has scored six goals for the Bees this season.(South Wales Evening Post)

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has backed goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 35, to respond to his side's 5-1 defeat by Tottenham in positive fashion, after making three mistakes that led to goals.(Bournemouth Echo)

Best of social media

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has tweeted: "First day back in training, feels good to be running again" and posted an Instagram picture of a striking new look.

Samir Nasri hoping that blondes do have more fun

Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has paid tribute to Tim Sherwood, who was sacked as Villa boss on Sunday, writing: "Just want to thank the manager for everything he did during his time at the club. As players we also have to take responsibility and I'll always appreciate him bringing me to this great club."

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has met Liverpool supporters and signed merchandise for them. "Good times with the fans today," he tweeted.

Following his first hat-trick of the season, Tottenham striker Harry Kane tweets that he has tweaked his profile name from @HarryKane28 to @HKane on the social media site.

The streamlined Harry Kane Twitter account

And finally

A football fan took on a bizarre dare by pretending to be a steward at the Rochdale v Oldham game on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)